I wasn't sure if this belongs in shotguns or gunsmithing. If someone feels it should be moved, please do so.
I just got a call from a friend of mine who lives a couple hours away. He wanted to know if I would have any idea what could have made his Remington 870 blow up!
He said they had bought some slugs, Remington 3" mags, down at Bi-Mart, and the third or fourth round kicked like a mule, and the last six inches or so of the barrel was peeled back like a banana! I wish I was closer so I could examine it. He said the gun is an older one, without the screw in chokes. The barrel he guesses is about 28", marked "2 3/4 or 3 inch shells", but no indication as to choke.
I asked if they could have plugged the barrel somehow, he said no way; no dirt or indication of a squib load (though I'm not sure he knows what a squib load is). I am guessing the barrel was likely full choke, could that ever cause a barrel rupture with magnum slugs? He said the rest of the gun looked fine. Anything to look for for damage to the receiver? He asked if he could just buy another barrel and salvage the gun.
I've never heard of this with a clean gun in good condition firing factory ammo, but I'm certainly not the authority on shotguns. I told him to take photos, keep the remainder of the box of shells, do not fire them, and call Remington. Hopefully in a day or two he will send me a photo to post.
Any input will be appreciated.
I just got a call from a friend of mine who lives a couple hours away. He wanted to know if I would have any idea what could have made his Remington 870 blow up!
He said they had bought some slugs, Remington 3" mags, down at Bi-Mart, and the third or fourth round kicked like a mule, and the last six inches or so of the barrel was peeled back like a banana! I wish I was closer so I could examine it. He said the gun is an older one, without the screw in chokes. The barrel he guesses is about 28", marked "2 3/4 or 3 inch shells", but no indication as to choke.
I asked if they could have plugged the barrel somehow, he said no way; no dirt or indication of a squib load (though I'm not sure he knows what a squib load is). I am guessing the barrel was likely full choke, could that ever cause a barrel rupture with magnum slugs? He said the rest of the gun looked fine. Anything to look for for damage to the receiver? He asked if he could just buy another barrel and salvage the gun.
I've never heard of this with a clean gun in good condition firing factory ammo, but I'm certainly not the authority on shotguns. I told him to take photos, keep the remainder of the box of shells, do not fire them, and call Remington. Hopefully in a day or two he will send me a photo to post.
Any input will be appreciated.